If all goes as planned, 20 weeks from now I’ll have just completed the Marine Corps Marathon. While it isn’t my first marathon, there is still so much running through my head, at least 26.2 nervous butterflies fluttering through my stomach, and so much left unknown. I now know what it feels like to hit the wall, to run myself to tears on a training day, change plans with friends because I have to go on a run, and cross the finish line, but I don’t know what it is like to start this journey by myself, to run this new training schedule, or to run with a body that I already know has some issues.

On one hand I’m confident, because I know I can do it. On the other hand, I’m shaking in my Asics, because now I know how much it is going to suck.

I’ll be using a 20 week training program, with 5 days of running per week. This year I plan to do more track workouts, focusing a bit more on speed. I will also be a little flexible with this schedule, listening to my body and adding some yoga throughout the weeks. The training schedule starts off a bit light, but I thought it would be good for me. I want to make sure that I don’t burn myself out, and take it easy on my knee. I know there will be days during the first few weeks when I add a mile or two to a run, but I think it is best to take it easy instead of pushing it too hard from the get-go.

You can check out the training schedule below. I’ll also be tracking my progress and updating it on TheHaySay weekly. Plus you’ll be able to follow the progress in The Runs section.